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Tax break on user fees expected

Campbell River taxpayers are expected to get a modest break on user fees thanks to a new recycling program.

When Multi-Material BC (MMBC) takes over recycling operations from the city May 19, the non-profit society will provide the city with a financial incentive for handing over the recycling reins.

That money will be put towards reducing user fees which are paid for by Campbell River homeowners with their property tax bill.

Dennis Brodie, the city’s finance operations supervisor, said the money will reduce the total user fees associated with solid waste charges from $203 to $189.

“Staff have determined that the net Multi-Material BC funding represents a reduction of the recycling fee of $14 per household,” Brodie wrote in a report to city council. “The total MMBC funds to be received in 2014 are $214,330.”

And he added that next year the savings for residential taxpayers could be even greater than $14.

“The solid waste user fee may decrease again in 2015 as a result of the MMBC subsidy because the subsidy will be received in full in 2015 instead of being prorated due to the May launch of the new program in 2014,” Brodie said.

The new program is a result of new provincial legislation that requires recycling costs to be transferred from the taxpayer and city governments to the producers of recyclable materials.

Businesses that produce such material are required to sign up for a fee with MMBC or another stewardship program.

MMBC is tasked with picking up and disposing of recyclables from residential curbsides and businesses.

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